The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia has declared a staff member of the Russian embassy in Ljubljana persona non grata, according to STA. The decision was made due to his activities "incompatible with the status of a diplomat," clarified the ministry. The staff member must leave Slovenia by March 28. The Russian Foreign Ministry has promised to take reciprocal measures.
Slovenia is the fourth country to expel Russian diplomats in the last week. On March 19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova declared a staff member of the Russian embassy unwanted, who was involved in organizing "elections" for the president of Russia in the territory of Transnistria. The head of the department, Mihai Popsoy, emphasized that the diplomat carried out these actions contrary to Chisinau's position. The country's authorities prohibited the opening of polling stations anywhere except the Russian embassy in the capital.
Also on March 19, Estonian authorities declared a staff member of the Russian embassy persona non grata and expelled him from the country due to interference in the country's internal affairs. According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhkny, the embassy illegally obtained documents related to a criminal case and facilitated their publication on social networks.
On March 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria announced the expulsion of two staff members of the Russian embassy due to "actions incompatible with their diplomatic status." Such wording is usually used when referring to involvement in espionage or working for the intelligence services of a foreign state. The Russian embassy in Austria called this decision "political," and the Russian Foreign Ministry warned of reciprocal measures.
